System for animating decorative elements

ABSTRACT

A system for animating decorative elements or products moved by means of strings connecting the decorative elements to an animating mechanism includes a closed animating device ( 2 ) in which the animating mechanism is arranged and enclosed, decorative elements or products ( 4 ) animated by animating strings ( 5 ), the decorative elements ( 4 ) and their animating strings ( 5 ) being arranged outside the animating device ( 2 ) and distributed in a space to be decorated, control wires ( 6 ) being provided to connect the animating strings ( 5 ) of the decorative elements ( 4 ) to the animating mechanism, and elements ( 7 ) for transmitting movements to the decorative elements ( 4 ). The transmitting elements are distributed in the space to be decorated depending on the location of the decorative elements ( 4 ) relative to the animating device ( 2 ).

This invention relates to a system for animating decorative elements orproducts moved by means of strings connecting said decorative elementsto an animating mechanism making it possible to automatically reproducethe same predetermined cycle of movements of said decorative elements.

Such systems are known, used to animate for example the shop windows ofboutiques and to create decorations on different themes according to theshop or the period of the year.

A known animating system includes different decorative elements moved bymeans of strings, each one of the decorative elements having its ownanimating mechanism arranged vertically in relation to the decorativeelement. This system has the disadvantage of using as many animatingmechanisms as there are decorative elements installed. The large numberof animating mechanisms multiplies as such the price of the animatingsystem as well as the space occupied by all of the mechanisms.

Moreover, FR 1 194 695 discloses an animated model constituted of acasing of which the lower portion is arranged as a stage and comprisesdecorative elements and of which the upper portion contains a singleanimating mechanism animating all of the decorative elements. Throughits design, this system is a model occupying a small space, which isdifficult to see in the shop window of a boutique. It is necessary toprovide several models if it is desired to animate different spaces inthe same shop window.

Finally, the animating system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,865 isalso known. This system is constituted of a parallelepipedic casingfixed to the ceiling of a shop window, said casing containing ananimating mechanism with a motor driving in rotation eccentrics whereonare directly fixed by S hooks the animating strings connected to thedecorative elements or objects to be animated.

The casing is entirely open on the lower side thereof and the eccentricsmove in their travel outside the internal volume of the casing.

This system has the disadvantages of having to be fixed above the spaceto be decorated, which makes it difficult to install the system and toreplace the decorative elements as well as to add strings controllingnew objects or decorative elements, and of having a risk in terms ofsafety since the animating mechanism is constantly accessible, whichfurthermore, is unsightly.

The purpose of this invention is therefore to overcome these differentdisadvantages, by proposing a system for animating decorative elementsor products moved by means of strings, making it possible, using asingle system, to simultaneously animate a set of decorative elements orproducts distributed in the different spaces to be decorated, forexample several shop windows as well as inside a shop.

To that effect, and in accordance with this invention, a system isproposed for animating decorative elements or products moved by means ofstrings connecting said decorative elements to an animating mechanismmaking it possible to automatically reproduce the same predeterminedcycle of movements of said decorative elements, noteworthy in that itcomprises:

-   -   a closed animating device wherein the animating mechanism is        arranged and enclosed,

at least one decorative element or one product animated by at least oneanimating string, said decorative element and the animating stringthereof being arranged outside the animating device and distributed in aspace to be decorated,

-   -   at least one control wire, provided to connect said animating        string of the decorative element to the animating mechanism,    -   means for transmitting movements of the animating mechanism to        the decorative element by the intermediary of the control wire        and of the animating string, said transmitting means being        distributed in the space to be decorated according to the        location of the decorative element in relation to the animating        device.

The animating mechanism comprises more preferably a motor, a shaftdriven in rotation by said motor and comprising an axis of rotation andat least one eccentric which defines an axis parallel and offset inrelation to said axis of rotation, eccentric whereon the control wire ispivotally mounted.

Advantageously, the animating device comprises at least one outletorifice of the control wire, said control wire comprising, on theoutside side of the animating device, a stop member against said outletorifice preventing the control wire from fully entering the animatingdevice.

Preferably, the control wire is a flexible wire of which the length issuch that the control wire hangs freely inside said animating devicebetween the outlet orifice and the eccentric when said control wire isnot used.

Advantageously, the control wire comprises a ballasting and guidingdevice mounted in the vicinity of the eccentric.

The system according to the invention makes it possible to distribute indifferent spaces to be decorated different decorative elements orproducts using a single and unique centralised animating device whereinis arranged the animating mechanism.

Other advantages and characteristics shall be better revealed in thefollowing description of a system in accordance with the invention,provided by way of a non-exhaustive example, in reference to the annexeddrawings on which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is an overhead view showing the interior of an animating deviceand control wires utilised in said system,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the interior of said animatingdevice and the control wires, and

FIG. 4 is a lateral view of the animating device and of the controlwires.

In reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the system 1 for animating decorativeelements or products according to the invention comprises:

-   -   a closed animating device 2 wherein an animating mechanism is        arranged and enclosed,    -   three decorative elements 4 animated by animating strings 5,        said decorative elements 4 and the respective animating strings        5 thereof being arranged outside the animating device 2 and        distributed in different spaces to be decorated, such as the        windows and the interior of a shop,    -   three control wires 6, provided to connect the animating strings        5 of the decorative elements 4 to the animating mechanism, and    -   means for transmitting 7 movements from the animating mechanism        to the decorative elements 4 by the intermediary of the control        wires 6 and the animating strings 5, said means for transmitting        7 being for example pulleys receiving the animating strings 5,        distributed in the different spaces to be decorated according to        the location of the decorative elements 4 in relation to the        animating device 2.

The decorative elements 4 are characters, objects, interchangeable,chosen for example according to a decorative theme of the shop accordingto the periods of the year, for example Christmas, Carnival, Easter,sales, etc. The decorative elements 4 can be replaced with products thatare similar to the products sold in the shop.

The animating strings 5 are more preferably strings having a very thindiameter, resistant and discreet, of the fishing line type. Strings ofthe monofilament or braid type made from synthetic material can thus beused, such as for example Nylon® or polyethylene, or made from metal,such as for example steel. More preferably, transparent or translucentstrings shall be used.

A decorative element can be moved by one or several animating strings,according to the movements that are to be given to it. Furthermore,several strings can be connected to the same control wire 6.

In reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the animating device 2 has the form of aparallelepipedic case 3, of which the upper side constitutes a cover 14,and wherein the animating mechanism is arranged. The animating mechanismincludes a motor 8, provided with a reduction gear (not shown) andmaintained by a wall separation 9 provided inside the case 3. Said motordrives in rotation a shaft 10 which comprises an axis of rotation 11 andthree eccentrics 12 which define parallel axes offset in relation to oneanother and in relation to said axis of rotation 11. The differenteccentrics 12 make it possible to carry out different animationmovement. On each eccentric 12 is pivotally mounted a control wire 6,such as shall be described further on. The case 3 is a case of compactdimensions, closed by the cover 14. The animating mechanism, and inparticular the motor 8, the shaft 10 and the eccentrics 12, is entirelyenclosed in the case 3.

It is obvious that a different number of eccentrics and control wirescan be provided according to the animation movement sought and thenumber of decorative elements to animate.

The case 3 comprises three outlet orifices 13, one for each of thecontrol wires 6. These outlet orifices 13 are arranged according to anaxis parallel to the axis of rotation 11. They are more preferablyprovided in the upper portion of the case 3, for example in the upperside 14 closing the case 3 or at the top of one of the longitudinalsides 15 of the case 3. Each control wire 6 comprises, on the outsideside of the case 3 a stop member 16 against the corresponding outletorifice 13, in such a way as to prevent the control wire 6 from fullyentering the case 3, in such a way that the control wire remainsaccessible even when it is not used. Advantageously, the stop member 16has the form of a crimped ring on the end of the control wire 6, saidring making it possible to attach one or several animating strings 5.

Underneath the upper side 14 and in the vicinity of the outlet orifices13 is provided a guide tube 17 arranged in parallel to the axis ofrotation 11 making it possible to position and maintain vertical thecontrol wires 6 before the passage thereof in the outlet orifices 13. Inan alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the guide tube 17 isreplaced with an axis provided with rollers, arranged in parallel to theaxis of rotation 11 and fulfilling the same function of guiding thecontrol wires 6 which are then positioned by the rollers.

In the animating device used in this invention, the control wires 6 areflexible wires of which the respective lengths are such that, when theyare not used, the control wires 6 hang freely inside the case 3 betweenthe outlet orifices 13 and the respective eccentrics 12 as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, and this regardless of the position of the eccentrics 12during the animation.

Advantageously, each control wire 6 comprises a ballasting and guidingdevice mounted in the vicinity of the corresponding eccentric 12. Thisballasting and guiding device allows the control wire 6 which is notused and which hangs then freely inside the case 3 to retain itsposition without the risk of winding around the eccentric 12 and to nothinder the movement of the other corresponding used eccentrics 12 andcontrol wires 6. Indeed, via its weight, the ballasting and guidingdevice makes it possible to oppose the friction efforts on the pivotconnection carried out between the control wire 6 and the correspondingeccentric 12.

In reference more specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the ballasting andguiding device has the form of a T-tube 18 made from heavy material,i.e. with high density, as for example metal such as steel. The portion18 a corresponding to the leg of the T is crimped on the end of thecontrol wire 6 which is connected to the corresponding eccentric 12 andhas a length that is sufficient to maintain straight and directeddownwards said end of the control wire 6. The portion 18 b correspondingto the bar of the T is pivotally mounted on the axis of the eccentric12, this pivot also serving as a pivot to the control wire 6 in relationto the corresponding eccentric 12.

According to another alternative not shown, the ballasting and guidingdevice has the form of a tube made from heavy material, crimped on thecontrol wire in the vicinity of the corresponding eccentric, and has alength that is sufficient to maintain straight and directed downwardsthe end of the control wire 6 which is connected to the correspondingeccentric 12. In this case, it is necessary to provide for example aroller mounted on the eccentric and receiving the end of the controlwire in order to provide the pivot of said control wire in relation tothe eccentric. It is obvious that the tube can be replaced with anyother device of a different form that allows for the ballasting and theguiding of the control wire.

The animating device can include a safety device (not shown) arranged inorder to automatically disconnect the animating mechanism in the eventtoo much force is detected on the animating strings 5 and/or controlwires 6, especially when adjacent decorative elements 4 become tangledduring a manipulation error for example, or when a person attempts tohold back one of the animating strings.

This invention applies more particularly to the animation of a samecommercial or public space, such as different spaces provided in thesame shop, for example the different shop windows and the sales areas,or stands. The system according to the invention makes it possible todistribute in these different spaces different decorative elements,while still animating them all using a single centralised animatingdevice. The system according to the invention is particularly simple toinstall: the animating device is for example placed on the floor in asuitable centralised location, then different pulleys are hooked to theceiling, in a number that is sufficient to transmit the movements of theanimating mechanism to the decorative element by the intermediary of thecontrol wire and of the animating strings. Then it is sufficient toconnect the decorative elements to the control wires with thetransparent Nylon® animating strings. As such, the animating systemaccording to the invention makes it possible to give the impression thatthe decorative elements fly or move in the different spaces to bedecorated, on different axes, amplitudes, and offset in relation to oneanother.

As such, it is understood that by simply placing the system on thefloor, connecting the animating strings 5 to the control wires 6 isextremely easy. Furthermore, since the case 3 is closed, the risks ofinjury in relation to the animating mechanism are almost nil.

Of course, it can be considered to fix the system above the animationspace without exiting the framework of this invention.

The decorative elements are easily interchangeable in order to changethe decoration theme without necessarily having to modify the layout ofthe decoration in the different spaces. For this, it suffices to unhookthe decorative elements from the animating strings and to replace themwith other subjects where applicable. It is also possible to reorganisethe layout of the decoration by easily displacing and at will thepulleys, the animating strings and the animating device.

When all of the control wires are not used, the unused wires are storedinside the animating device. The ballasting and guiding device allowsthe unused wires to not hinder the movements of the eccentrics and ofthe other wires that continue to be animated.

The number of animating strings, control wires and eccentrics usedvaries according to the number of decorative elements to be animated. Itis possible to connect different wires to a same control wire, as wellas to the same decorative element, according to the movements sought. Itis also possible to control different animating strings using a singleanimating string by means of a connection point. The dimensions andforms of the eccentrics and the motor shall be adapted according to theamplitudes and the speed of the animations movements sought.

It is obvious that the example that has just been provided is only aparticular and in no case limitative illustration with regards to thefields of application of the invention.

1. System (1) for animating decorative elements or products moved bymeans of strings connecting said decorative elements to an animatingmechanism making it possible to automatically reproduce the samepredetermined cycle of movements of said decorative elements,characterised in that it comprises: a closed animating device (2)wherein the animating mechanism is arranged and enclosed, at least onedecorative element or one product (4) animated by at least one animatingstring (5), said decorative element (4) and the animating string (5)thereof being arranged outside the animating device (2) and distributedin a space to be decorated, at least one control wire (6), provided toconnect said animating string (5) of the decorative element (4) to theanimating mechanism, means for transmitting (7) movements from theanimating mechanism to the decorative element (4) by the intermediary ofthe control wire (6) and of the animating string (5), said means oftransmitting (7) being distributed in the space to be decoratedaccording to the location of the decorative element (4) in relation tothe animating device (2).
 2. System (1) set forth in claim 1,characterised in that the animating mechanism comprises a motor (8), ashaft (10) driven in rotation by said motor and comprising an axis ofrotation (11) and at least one eccentric (12) which defined an axisparallel and offset in relation to said axis of rotation (11), eccentric(12) whereon the control wire (6) is pivotally mounted.
 3. System (1) asset forth in claim 1, characterised in that the animating device (2)comprises at least one outlet orifice (13) of the control, wire (6) andin that the control wire (6) comprises, on the outside side of theanimating device (2), a stop member (16) against said outlet orifice(13) preventing the control wire (6) from fully entering the animatingdevice (2).
 4. System (1) set forth in claim 3, characterised in thatthe control wire (6) is a flexible wire of which the length is such thatthe control wire (6) hangs freely inside said animating device (2)between the outlet orifice (13) and the eccentric (12) when said controlwire (6) is not used.
 5. System (1) set forth in claim 4, characterisedin that the control wire (6) comprises a ballasting and guiding device(18) mounted in the vicinity of the eccentric (12).
 6. System (1) setforth in claim 5, characterised in that the ballasting and guidingdevice (18) has the form of a tube made from heavy material crimped onthe control wire (6) in the vicinity of the eccentric (12) and having alength that is sufficient to maintain straight and directed downwardsthe end of the control wire (6) which is connected to the eccentric(12).
 7. System (1) set forth in claim 5, characterised in that theballasting and guiding device has the form of a T-tube (18), made fromheavy material, crimped on the end of the control wire (6) which isconnected to the eccentric (12), said tube (18) being pivotally mountedon the axis of the eccentric (12), and having a length that issufficient to maintain straight and directed downwards said end of thecontrol wire (6).
 8. System (1) as set forth in claim 3, characterisedin that the animating device (2) has the form of a case of which one ofthe upper (14) or longitudinal (15) sides comprises said outlet orifice(13) of the control wire (6).
 9. System (1) as set forth in claim 1,characterised in that the means of transmitting movements from theanimating mechanism to the decorative element include at least onepulley (7) receiving the animating string (5).
 10. System (1) as setforth in claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a safety devicearranged to automatically disconnect the animating mechanism in theevent too much force is detected on the animating strings (5) and/or thecontrol wires (6).
 11. System (1) as set forth in claim 2, characterisedin that the animating device (2) comprises at least one outlet orifice(13) of the control wire (6) and in that the control wire (6) comprises,on the outside side of the animating device (2), a stop member (16)against said outlet orifice (13) preventing the control wire (6) fromfully entering the animating device (2).
 12. System (1) as set forth inclaim 4, characterised in that the animating device (2) has the form ofa case of which one of the upper (14) or longitudinal (15) sidescomprises said outlet orifice (13) of the control wire (6).
 13. System(1) as set forth in claim 5, characterised in that the animating device(2) has the form of a case of which one of the upper (14) orlongitudinal (15) sides comprises said outlet orifice (13) of thecontrol wire (6).
 14. System (1) as set forth in claim 6, characterisedin that the animating device (2) has the form of a case of which one ofthe upper (14) or longitudinal (15) sides comprises said outlet orifice(13) of the control wire (6).
 15. System (1) as set forth in claim 7,characterised in that the animating device (2) has the form of a case ofwhich one of the upper (14) or longitudinal (15) sides comprises saidoutlet orifice (13) of the control wire (6).
 16. System (1) as set forthin claim 2, characterised in that the means of transmitting movementsfrom the animating mechanism to the decorative element include at leastone pulley (7) receiving the animating string (5).
 17. System (1) as setforth in claim 2, characterised in that it comprises a safety devicearranged to automatically disconnect the animating mechanism in theevent too much force is detected on the animating strings (5) and/or thecontrol wires (6).